Lost Child Policy

Bizzy Bears Pre-school ensures that the security of the children in our care is our paramount

During the session:

  • Children will be supervised by Preschool staff at all times. Bizzy Bears staff hold relevant childcare qualifications and continue to develop their knowledge with relevant training in order to support them in their role and to continue their professional development.

All staff are required to gain a DBS disclosure to check their suitability to work with children. This disclosure is carried out by CAPITA an umbrella body for DFES on behalf of Bizzy Bears Pre-School.

Work experience students and volunteers do not have unsupervised contact with children. If students are on a long time placement ie more than 2 weeks we will require them to complete a DBS check.

•We verify the identity of visitors to the Pre school (asking for ID, name and reason for visit) We operate a visitors book for visitors to our Pre-school to sign in and out. Any visitors to the parish office are accompanied by the Green space Manager, if they need to access any part of the building in Pre school session time they are accompanied by the GSM and are asked to sign in our visitors book.

  • The register will be taken as the children and staff arriveto record arrival times and a head count is recorded and at the end of each session is updated. Any child or staff member leaving during the session will also be recorded on the register.
  • A headcount is recorded on the wall in the hall and up dated as needed.
  • Our main entrance door will be locked after the children have arrived and remain locked until collection time.
  • Any other doors that lead outside will be kept locked at all times except fire doors which are suitably secured.
  • A child will not be handed to any adult who is not known to be collecting even if they are listed on the consent form and unless:

A parent notifies us at the beginning of the session that their child will be collected by another adult, details will be recorded on the white board in the hall and our password system will be used to verify their identity. If a parent uses the telephone to notify us during the session password checks will be made to verify the parent’s identity.(child’s DOB and password)

Procedures to be followed if a child becomes lost during the session:

  • We will carry out an initial search of our building and outdoor area
  • We will inform parents and police immediately.
  • We will make a thorough search of our building and all surrounding outdoor areas (main hall, corridor, toilets, changing rooms, outdoor play area, playing field and park)

Using the Bizzy Bears outdoor play area

  • Before leaving the building headcount is made of all staff and children leaving the building to go into the outdoor area, this is recorded on the wall in the hall and adjusted throughout the session accordingly.
  • The adult to staff ratio will be as required
  • Children are supervised by 2 members of staff as they cross the car park
  • A Headcount is taken as the children enter the play area, this is recorded on the wall in the undercover area and adjusted accordingly throughout the session
  • Walkie talkies are used to communicate with staff inside the hall throughout the session
  • A First aid bag and children’s medication if needed are taken outside

On leaving the play area, headcount is taken and checked against recorded headcount before returning to Preschool

Procedures to be followed in the outdoor play area if a child is unaccounted for:

  • We will make an initial search of the outdoor area.
  • We will communicate with staff in the main hall
  • All children will be taken back to the main hall
  • We will inform parents and police immediately.
  • We will make a thorough search of the outdoor surrounding areas.(outdoor play area, playing field and park)

During an outdoor activity

  • Children will be under supervision of staff at all times.
  • The adult to child ratio will be as required
  • Staff carry a first aid bag and a whistle to summon the children quickly in an emergency
  • A headcount will be carried out before leaving and on return to the Pre-school.
  • Numbers of children and staff inside and outside the building are recorded during our session on a wall chart as they access outside and in the main hall

Procedures to be followed on an outdoor activity if a child becomes lost:

  • We will make an initial search of the outdoor area.
  • We will inform parents and police immediately.
  • We will make a thorough search of the outdoor surrounding areas.(outdoor play area, playing field and park

During a Pre-school trip

  • The Pre-school supervisor will carry out a risk assessment at the venue, prior to a trip being organised.
  • A report will be written and any risks will be highlighted this will be shared with all staff and adults accompanying us on the trip
  • All staff and adult helpers will be briefed on our health and safety procedures and our lost child policy before the trip
  • Children will be under the supervision of Preschool staff and adult helpers at all times.
  • Our adult to child ratio will be one adult to two children.
  • Registers will be drawn up and carried out before leaving Pre-school and again before leaving the venue.
  • All staff and adult helpers will carry a group list.
  • Supervisors will take a list of contact numbers for each child and family

Procedures to be followed on a Pre-school trip

  • We will make an initial search of the area.
  • We will assemble staff and children so the register can be taken and a head count can be made.
  • We will inform the proprietor of the venue immediately
  • We will inform the parents and the police immediately.
  • We will make a thorough search of the area

Signed: C.Borrell

Date:03:03:18 Review date:03:03:19